Smith, Ross – August 1917

Aug 2nd.
Practiced night landings with flares on BE2C 4312

Aug 3rd.
Photos with Bowd out at SHARIA

Aug 4th.
Sutherland reported a Hun machine on the ground at BIR IFTEIS near SHARIA so we were sent out to bomb it. Jones was on a 2E, Morgan on a 2E & Austin, Potts L. & I were on 12 A’S. I had 2 -100lb. bombs. We got out to the machine but it was a dummy! Some of us started to drop our bombs & 2 Huns came up at us, one 2 seater & 1 Albatross Scout. We all had a go at them and drove them down to SHARIA. I took on the 2 seater first & he was a very dud pilot but could easily out dive me & so got away. The Scout pilot was not up to much either. Jack Potts & Sutherland were with us on a 2E as well.

Aug 6th.
Was going out on a job in a ‘tinsyde but had a forced landing on the aerodrome with a beetle in my petrol pipe.

Aug 8th.
We have just got a Bristol Scout (Clerget) for practice flying. It’s a nice little machine & we have great sport on it, looping it etc. Rogers crashed it later on.

Aug 10th. –17th.
Out on various jobs, mostly escorts or photos.

Aug 17th.
Nearly got let down by a 2E, the engine was very dud when I was testing & I only just got back into the aerodrome

Aug. 20th.
Photos with Bowd out at BEERSHEBA.

Aug 23rd.
Photos with Jones at BEERSHEBA

Aug 24th.
8 Bombs on BEERSHEBA camps. 3 other machines came too.

Aug 30th.
Bomb raid to HARIERA. Bowd & I went on Martinsydes, with 12 bombs each